Roman Forum And Palatine Hill (06-09-19) Rome

The Palatine Hill, (/'pæl?ta?n/; Latin: Collis Palatium or Mons Palatinus; Italian: Palatino [pala'ti?no]) which is the centremost of the Seven Hills of Rome, is one of the most ancient parts of the city and has been called "the first nucleus of the Roman Empire." It stands 40 metres above the Roman Forum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. From the time of Augustus Imperial palaces were built here. Prior to extensions to the Palace of Tiberius and the construction of the Domus Augustana by Domitian, 81-96 AD, the hill was mostly occupied by the houses of the rich. The perimeter measures 2,182 meters and the area is 255,801 square meters or 63 acres, with a circumference of 1,740 meters while the Regionary Catalogues of the fourth century give a perimeter of 11,510 feet or 3,402 meters (equals 131 acres.

 

The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum (Italian: Foro Romano), is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

For centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million or more sightseers yearly.

 

The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum, is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

 

 

How to visit the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill How to visit the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine HillVia Sacra – This was the main thoroughfare connecting the Piazza del Campidoglio with the Colosseum in ancient Rome. It’s along this “street” that you’ll find some of the most interesting and valuable ruins

 

Curia – A place where important decisions were made. It was the original seat of the Roman Senate

There is a big piece of black marble, called the Lapis Niger, in front of the Curia. Legend has it that this is where Romulus was buried

 

Basilica Giulia – Augustus completed this church after the death of Julius Caesar. Watch out for the three remaining columns of the Tempio di Castore e Polluce (5th century BC) at the end of the Basilica

Temple di Giulio Cesare – Another one of the interesting Roman forum facts relating to Julius Caesar. This is where he was cremated. Built by Augustus in 29 BC, it’s also called the Tempio del Divo Giulio

The Basilica di Massenzio is the largest building in the Forum, originally measuring 100 m by 65 m. Constantine finished it in 315 after it was started by Maxentius

Arch of Titus – Built after Emperor Titus’ death, this is a triumphal arch commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem

The small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills where the Forum was built was originally a marshy area. This lead to the development of what became known as one of the world’s first sewer systems. Called the Cloaca Maxima, it was used to drain the area

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